Effect of fucoidan on lymphocyte apoptosis and apoptosis-related gene expression induced by irradiation

Objective This study was conducted to explore the effects of fucoidan on rat splenic lymphocyte apoptosis and its Bcl-2 and Bax expression induced by 60 Co γ-rays. Methods Rats were provided with different doses of fucoidan before whole-body irradiation with 9.0 Gy 60 Co γ-rays.TUNEL and flow cytometry were used to investigate the effects of fucoidan on splenic lymphocyte apoptosis and immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the Bcl-2 and the Bax expression. Results Irradiation caused increase of apoptosis in rat splenic lymphocytes obviously,and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax protein decreased significantly.Fucoidan could markedly inhibit the effects of radiation on apoptosis and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax protein in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Fucoidan could inhibit rat splenic lymphocyte apoptosis induced by radiation,and its mechanism could be associated with its regulation on expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in splenic lymphocyte. ;